April 19th, 2016
1808 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
For information on preview and auction times, call 215.563.9275 or visit www.freemansauction.com

Lot 51: The Justice Samuel Chase pair of fine Chippendale carved mahogany tassel-back side chairs, Philadelphia, circa 1760. The chairs marked, “II” and “V,” respectively. H: 41, W: 23-1/2, D: 21-1/8 inches.

When the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association took possession of George and Martha Washington’s estate in 1858, only a handful of their original furnishings remained. To fill the empty rooms, the association board furnished the house with antique furniture that would make it look more like a home. As scholarship improved and more original objects returned to Mount Vernon, these early donations were replaced by more authentic representations of George and Martha’s possessions.

This April 19th, Freeman’s in Philadelphia will offer deaccessioned furnishings from the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association in its American Furniture, Folk, & Decorative Arts auction. The proceeds of the sale will benefit Mount Vernon’s acquisitions and conservation fund.

The seventy objects being offered for sale include a variety of forms made in New England to Virginia, including looking glasses, chests of drawers, bedsteads, tables, and stands. A pair of circa 1760 Philadelphia Chippendale mahogany tassel-back side chairs are the centerpiece of the collection. Originally owned by Justice Samuel Chase (1741–1811), a signer of the Declaration of Independence for Maryland and Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, they were presented to the association in 1894. Chairs from the same set are in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Diplomatic Reception Rooms in the U.S. Department of State. Among the other items are Colonial Revival comb-back Windsor armchairs that have graced the Mansion’s famous piazza since 1891. These chairs were intended to replace the “30 Windsor chairs . . . in the Piazza” referenced in Washington’s inventory, making this one of the earliest direct references to using an inventory as a blueprint for furnishing Washington’s home.

Lot 46: Queen Anne walnut dressing table, Philadelphia, circa 1770. The molded top with notched corners, shell-carved knees on tall trifid feet. H: 2-5/8, W: 36, D: 20-3/4 inches.
Exterior, Mount Vernon.
Lot 1: Late Classical carved mahogany center table, circa 1840. A typed paper note affixed to underside of top reads: “Table provided for the Library by Miss Longfellow. Removed to the Quarters by order of the Regent February 28, 1928.” H: 28-3/4 in.; top: 44-3/4 x 44-1/4 inches.
Lots 62-65: Two painted Colonial Revival comb-back Windsor armchairs, Chamberlain & Co., New Haven, Ct.,1890–1891. H: 41 inches. Estimate: $1,500-2,500.

Says Senior Vice President of Historic Preservation at Mount Vernon, Carol Borchert Cadou, “The objects in this sale have played a variety of roles in Mount Vernon’s long preservation history, and we are grateful for the role they have rendered in educating millions of visitors about George Washington and life in early America. While it was challenging to witness these pieces of history leave the estate, we look forward to the thought that they will no longer be in storage and will be brought to homes and collections where they can be enjoyed and appreciated.”